Maria Pia De Caro
EVP, Integrated Operations and S&R Pernod Ricard
ABOUT THE WINNER
Maria Pia De Caro is the Executive Vice President, Integrated Operations and S&R at Pernod Ricard, where she leads the company’s end-to-end supply chain from strategic planning and manufacturing to procurement, logistics, safety, sustainability, and quality management. Her influence extends far beyond operational metrics. She is shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future, proving that true human leadership is measured not just in results, but in impact.
With over 30 years of experience across global consumer goods companies like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Mondelez, Maria Pia brings a legacy of transformative leadership in engineering, manufacturing, M&A, and operational excellence.
A mechanical engineering graduate from Sapienza University of Rome, Maria Pia enjoys reading, learning, and spending time with her family and their adorable Border Collie, named Wonka.
Congratulations, Maria Pia De Caro!
Case Study Highlights
At Pernod Ricard, Maria Pia De Caro transforms integrated operations by embedding safety into the core of leadership culture. Her approach blends real-time digital visibility with a deeply human commitment to excellence.
She champions real-time safety monitoring, enabling earlier intervention and faster system deployment through the use of AI tools. Digital teams actively identify and eliminate on-the-ground risks to improve workplace safety.
Maria redefines safety as a condition for employment, emphasizing personal responsibility at every level. Her “Be the One” campaign inspires teams to act, care, and continuously improve with leadership support.
Her philosophy of “unlocking the magic of human connections” fuels cultural transformation. This recognition reflects the passion of Pernod Ricard’s operations team and their commitment to a safer, stronger future.
